i want..

I WILL GET.

Feast your eyes.

As much as I hate on the TOPSHOP bandwagon, every once in a while something strikes me and I become obsessed until it is in my possession.

This is beautiful. Very tba-esque don't cha thing?

It looks like it could've come straight from the back of a Victorian lady.

I want it now.

primark praise.

Today. Wandering aimlessly out of Primark on a thirty minute time-constrained lunch break, I stumbled across this beauty. For a tenner.

Collar  Jersey Dress

Ring any bells TOPSHOP?

I also snapped up a pair of these babies for a snip at 15£. Yes I'd rather they were Prada than Primark but they'll do the job quite nicely and my ever depleting overdraft will thank me in the long run..

Excuse the shitty Blackberry photography.

Black Suede Desert Boots

This only adds crudentials and justification of Primark's place in my subconscious, high street hall of fame.

Not so long ago I was greeted by this velvet skater dress whilst having the desperate cry all too familiar to the female race; I LITERALLY HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR TONIGHT. It was definitely true up until this miracle maker graced my eye-line.

Velvet Skater Dress

I had been on the hunt for a while and who would of thought it; Primark of all places would be the one to answer my prayers. Needless to say it was welcomed into my wardrobe with open arms.

According to reputable fashion forecasts embracing the Velvet Vixen is a must for A/W '10 so get on it. They also do the dress in a gorgeous ruby red. Jackets, bodycon skirts, leggings etc etc.in the same colours and a midnight blue complete the velvety collection.

If its not obvious yet, I am very impressed by the stores ensembles over the last few months. Consistently surprised but impressed nevertheless. Way back in April, I picked up this lovely lace shirt. Must say, it probably has been overworn- it is extremely versatile. Also a tenner.

White Lace Shirt

I suppose what I'm trying to say is - Big up yourself Primark.

It just goes to show that fashion finds are in the most unsuspecting places, you just have to be willing to put the effort into that find. Ok tackling Primark may not constitute effort in any other city but having to face the whole charva (chav) population of the North East in the same place at the same time - Northumberland St. Newcastle - can be kanny scary. So yes that is effort in itself.

One lesson I've learnt lately; do not underestimate the high-street.

Yes, I can totally empathize when you buy that dress from TOPSHOP then two weeks later every Tom, Dick and Harry has it but at a snip of the price you forked out for it. But..... fashion is all about adding individual flair anyhow, so as long as you accessorize said dress with your creativity no one can rain on your parade.

a/winter wish slash hit list.

I've decided to do a seasonal hit list and make it a regular feature. I'm currently racking my brains on ways to improve my blog. I think having 3-4 regular features a month is the starting point as I think it's the best way to maintain reader interest as it facilitates consistency. Personally, I think that's what fashion blogging is all about; finding your niche and running with it. So watch this space.

Back onto this post - yes I'm very aware we are in the full throes of a/w so a bit behind on that front but here it is anyway. A wish list in that I can only dream in owning the entirety of it but a hit list in that each item is an absolute lust have. 

In no particular order...

Bare in mind this is not an exhaustive list- I don't think any girl's could ever possibly be described as that.
Call it what you will: wish list, hit list, the bare essentials etc etc.

I'm off to Bristol tonight for the week on a crash course come privaleged behind the scenes insider into the world of journalism.

Will keep you posted.

shop 'til you drop.

Shopping review for my university newspaper, Fresher's edition.

Helen Turnbull gives us the heads up on where to shop in York.

Embarking on your university career can be a daunting time to say the least. A whole host of questions surface.. Will I fit in? Will I make friends? Bla bla. But if you're anything like me, you'll also be contemplating; "what array of beautiful boutiques await me and my precious loan pounds?" So here it is; a guide to shopping in York for the Rah, the Hipster, the Indie Kid and everything in between.

Firstly; the Rah. Arguably this is pointless as any established sloane is well acquainted with the means that manifest their sterotype, in their native Southern counties. But for anyone from further north than York, Jack Wills is very ‘public school’ and ‘preppy’ -esque and comes as a standard for York university. The collections are marketed as classically ‘British’ in style, inspired by traditional British heritage and country pursuits. Think polo shirts in every colour under the sun and too much tweed. You pay good money for the 'fabulously British' quality of their collections. If you don't make the Uni rowing team cut then you can always pay a £69 plus, one-off fee for a lifetime membership to the J.W.R.C; in the form of a hoody.

For the budding fashionistas: a high-end, high street equivalent to Topshop; Sarah Coggles. What started out as a quirky York Market stall has amalgamated itself into a modern boutique store. The store collaborates with the best new designers and established fashion houses. Boasting over 200 collections from Cheap Monday to Vivienne Westwood you have to be willing to dig a little deeper to fork out on oh-so beautiful investment pieces. Men's and women's are separated into neighbouring located on Low Petergate.

If you still can't resist the pearly gates of Topshop/Topman however, then here's one final reminder that their annual 20% student discount, lock-in event is taking place from 6.30-9pm next Tuesday and Wednesday. Just remember the student card, they can be arsey when they want to be so I'd say it's worth investing in an NUS.

For those of you who are keen on your ethical issues here is one I'm not familliar with myself but stumbled across on researching this piece; One: Responsibly Gorgeous. The exclusive boutique prides itself on the fact that its York's only ethical fashion thrift store. The boutique offers fashion that is made using organic, recycled, vintage and eco fibres coupled with fair trade manufacturing their collections are unarguably, responsibly produced. Their pieces are luxurious with fabrics including cashmeres, alpaca and merino wool, 100% organic pima cotton, hemp and pure silks. So if world peace and tree hugging are your scene, be sure to check out this place. As the boutique is a niche, prices tip the scale at the higher end but its all for a good cause (saving the environment and all that) and there is the odd bargain to be had. Visit the store at 1 Grape Lane, located in the heart of York city centre.

For the hipsters and indie Cindys look no further than the travelling Affordable Vintage Fair. You must have been resting under a rock if you are oblivious to Judy and her team's vintage fashion and homeware extravaganza that has swept the UK in recent years. York's next is scheduled for 17th October at the Hospitium, Museum Gardens. Simply turn up on the day with a bit of cash, pay a measley £2 entry fee and let stall after stall of vintage delights greet you. With stalls selling an eclectic mix of both affordable and collectable vintage items dating back to 1900 there is something to tickle everyone's fancy.

However, if you feel overwhelmed with the assortment of alternative choice then there's always Mr.Jack Wills who's gilet you can throw over anything and with a strong clique of dedicated followers you'll have no trouble finding a hoards of fellow fans.

unlikely style icon.

Just a quick post to express my admiration for This is England '86s character Lol's style.

The show is a spin-off of the original film This is England released in 2007, set in 1983; it tells the gripping coming-of-age tale of tweleve year old Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) who is taken under the wing of a pack of wayward, irreverent skinheads.

I say unlikely as I'm not a massive follower of trends that were big before my time. But the styling team have got it bang on with Lol. Even to the point where her mannish dressing outswarves that of even her male counterparts including her husband to be Woody, played by Joe Gilgun.

She has a similar look and attitude to the original instigators of girl power- Annie Lennox and Debbie Harry; effortless mannish power dressing with a real edge.

Check List:

Fred Perry (buttoned to the top as a standard) in a gingham, plaid or tartan

Distressed Black Levi's

Dirty Doc Martens,
Oversized Crombie Coat

What better excuse do I need than to survey the internet's offerings of a Fred Perry fix?
Make like a real man and opt for one from the male section of the website/asos (1&2)/urban outfitters (3) as opposed to an over-sized 'boyfriend' equivalent in the womenswear department.

Top three;

on your bike.

It'd be an understatement to say I was slacking on the blog front as of late. There is no excuse bar neglecting my precious blog for spontaneous city trips and a boozy week in Greece with my girls. I have had my time-off so I promise tokeep up to date from now on. Promise promise promise.

Excuse the lame play on words, couldn't resist.

Mammy suprised me with a revamped genuine article vintage bike today. Photos will come soon!

She was given it when she was my age quote "that's how well I look after my things". It has been sitting in the garage, forgotten about for the last god knows how long but her significant other decided to work his magic at the weekend when I was away. All it needed was a new tyre and a polish. Big up. He has done a kanny job.

The frame is a Raleigh and about twenty five years old. The basket is the only mod-con (oh and the new tyre obvz), the rest; original in all their 80's glory.

I think it's going to be one of those things that's expected to be passed down the family generation after generation.

manchester musings.

I’m on my way home from a delightful few days in Manchester.

I can't believe I've been so oblivious to the city's fashionable offerings. Why is Newcastle so renowned for its shopping appeal? It ain't got nutin' on Manc. However, there is as essence of unattractiveness about the place. A male associate of mine says the whole place smells like vomit. That's an exaggeration, its not that bad but it is kanny trampy so I'll give him that. Don't be put off though, you soon get over that with the selection of shops that await you.

The first massive error of my trip was discovering that Urban Outfitters stock my beloved tba. How come I did not know this!? That's embarrassing. Not going to lie, I prefer Manchester's Market St version to the over-hyped Oxford St store. I won't bore you with the luxuries I wish were so much more accessible to me as we'd be here forever.

The second and third- Hello American Apparell, Hello Fred Perry. If only my funds would stretch to such high places.

I take back the hatred for the high street I expressed in my previous post. I don’t know if its me and that I’m bored of Northumberland St but the high street has somehow been reaquainted with its appeal.

I picked up this goodybag of treats......

Then there’s the vintage shops and boutiques. I only had the time and the tolerance for the thunder and lightning to check out two- COW on Piccadilly Gardens and POP boutique on Oldham St.

Cow is my favourite of the two but for the boy, check Pop. That same male associate who so tastefully describes the city as 'vomit infested', purchased this beaut of a Harrington Jacket in blue. Abs snip at 25£.

We seen a Fred Perry superior in Sarah Coggles, York, last winter but the 150£ price tag did not bode well with our student lifestyles. But this one suffices. I lav it and the check lining is a bit sexy too.

All in all, I was pleasantly suprised at what Manchester greeted me with in terms of retail thearpy. That is without even stepping foot in Northern Quarter and URBIS- vintage havens apparantly.

It has to be said that I’m in a state of confusion. London or Manchester?
Manchester is not as crazy, but London is the one.

Alas, I will have to return to help me come closer to that decision.

http://wearecow.blogspot.com/
http://www.pop-boutique.com/

ilovetba.

Okokok.

This is now the third post in the last month or so about my secret fetish tba, although its not really a secret.

You wouldn't be blamed for thinking tba is a French descent but in actual fact it launched and is based in our very own capital city, the big LDN.

Designer Binbin McNiven, a Brighton university graduate with a enviable designer history to her name including the late Alexander McQueen, she founded and debuted tba only last year with a stellar A/W '09 collection. Ever since, the label's signature look has evolved; playful meets sophistication. Equating to timeless, luxurious, perfection.

The label's aesthetic is increasingly accumulating a desirable reputation; accredited to its sixties play time working in perfect harmony with the touch of Edwardian sophistication.
The label's template of understated elegance is resounded through the entirety of the A/W '10 offerings.

The collection takes its inspiration from two feminist characters in the controversial (it was banned in native Czechoslovakia and director Vera Chytilová was forbidden to work until 1975), dadaist, film; Sedmikrasky ("Daisies") from the sixties.

In a nutshell, the film sees the girls deciding that, since the world is spoiled, they will be spoiled too. Cue the girls embarking on a quest of rebellion against the degenerate, decayed and oppressive society in which they live.

The direct inspiration for the collection contemplates how they might have dressed to attend an Edwardian children’s tea party.

Whimsical, pompoms prettify dresses and blouses, reflecting the childish, exuberant mantra of the girls.

Monchrome complements the chosen colour palette of carmel silk, velvet in the warmest of hues- burnt orange along with emerald and midnight blue. Colours and fabrics that all exude luxurious winter.

Tba's ladylike silk dresses and separates in bold blocks of colour are each finished with intricate final touches like the handmade reuleaux look collars on the velvet smocks or gold trim adornments on the mesh pom-pom dresses.

It’s not all sugar and spice and everything nice, however, as there are also tougher-looking, 'more showy' pieces such as the leather, pleated shorts in tan and a mushroom print silk, oversized tux jacket to match the pintuck dress and skirt of the same pattern.

The whole label has an antique yet, modern feel to it. This is illustrated in each of the A/W '10 pieces.

A lasting quality that transcends seasonal trends.

It is date night, it is innocent sweetheart, it is teenage rebel, it is spoilt princess, it is divine.

So aptly named; to be adored (by everyone), you certainly are.

Stockists include:

-www.asos.com

AND

-urban outfitters.

(Massive error on my part discovering that cheeky devil.)

F-inspo..?

Today, I found myself bumbling down Northumberland street BORED - a world away from the genuine excitement that the thought of new purchases used to fill me with.

It seems like high street fashion has jumped on the Letstrytorecycleeverymortalthing bandwagon the government is so profusley drumming into us.

I'm not a believer of disposable fashion or rather my financial situ ain't but howays I think I have had enough of floral prints to last me a life time.

Every summer we're instructed to don the ditsy prints, the paler shades of denim and generally pastel colour pallette. Where is the inspiration in that?
Boring. In a word.

I think I might ban myself from the 'pearly gates' of topshop for a while. Challenge myself to shop exclusively in charity shops.

There are hidden gems to be found on ebay so I've heard. I'm not its loyalest fan but people are always banging on about I got this lovely that and an adorable this.

So I guess its worth a shot.

x

hollar for a collar.

Unhealthy obsession?
mhmmm

Compiled these favourite collared looks through browsing two favourite fashion social network sites of mine.

- http://lookbook.nu/

- http://www.chictopia.com/

In all honesty, I prefer taking outfit inspiration from sites such as these as they are one hundred per cent accessible to the average twenty-something girl. Yes, I would love to lavish in a sheer silk Chloe shirt but net-a-porter is just going to have to wait.

x